Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Chris Trepal, who is retiring from the Earth Day Coalition, one of the major forces in Northeast Ohio to promote environmental education, protection, and advocacy.

In the late 1980s, as the nation coalesced around how to best acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the first Earth Day of 1970, Chris was a parent, educator, and volunteer for the Sierra Club. Called by Governor Richard Celeste, Chris attended an organizing meeting at Cleveland State University and was moved to action to fight for the environment. Along with Scott Sanders, Chris co-founded the Earth Day Coalition in 1990 and until her retirement was co-director with Sanders.

In the last 23 years, Chris has been a visionary who organized the ``Annual EarthFest'' and ``Walk or Bike for the Earth.'' Every spring at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the EarthFest has been the largest and longest-running environmental education event in the State of Ohio. It is widely attended and is the place-to-be for non-profits and leaders who want to promote their causes.

For more than 10 years, Chris worked with the region's best environmental education experts, naturalists, and interpreters to establish the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, formerly Dike 14. Officially opened in February 2012, the Preserve is 88 acres of wild lands along Lake Erie in the heart of Cleveland with almost 300 species of birds who live and migrate on the site along with butterflies and mammals such as the red fox, mink, coyote, deer and others. Chris led the Earth Day Coalition's efforts to convene and be the fiscal agent for the collaborative effort to establish the Preserve.

Chris is a founding member of the City of Cleveland's Air Pollution Advisory Committee, created by city ordinance. She has worked on clean air issues such as Diesel Hot Spots, idle reduction, and reining in mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants and the proposed City of Cleveland waste incinerator (which was stopped, based in part on the Earth Day Coalition's advocacy).

Chris Trepal is the recipient of numerous awards for the work she has done over the years, including: Conservationist of the Year by the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District; Outstanding Conservationist Award by the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo; Award for Outstanding Service by the Lee-Seville-Miles Citizens; Greater Cleveland Woman of Achievement Award from the YWCA of Cleveland; Certificate of Environmental Achievement from the National Awards Council for Environmental Sustainability; Golden Spruce Award from the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission; and the Excellence in Education Award from the Better Business Bureau.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebrating the many achievements of Chris Trepal as she makes the transition from her successful career as co-director of the Earth Day Coalition to the next phases of her life in retirement and wishing her much success in her next endeavors.

We put together a bipartisan congressional coalition to try to stop the war in Libya. That four Americans, including our ambassador, were killed confirmed our worst fears: that American power was being used to open the door for jihadists, creating more instability in the region.

Congress still doesn't know why our people in Libya were left vulnerable. We still don't know why the U.S. military was not sent to their defense. It is of the highest importance that General Petraeus, who led the CIA at the time, be brought before Congress to testify as to what really happened in Benghazi, whether there was a security lapse or whether the administration temporized on security and stood down to mollify violent, disparate groups which have nothing in common with our Nation.

U.S. involvement in Libya is a disaster, compounded by the deaths of four Americans. It is imperative that we find out the truth about Benghazi, wherever it leads, whoever it affects.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Bujar Nishani, the President of Albania, on the occasion of the dedication of the Albanian Cultural Garden, taking place on September 22, 2012.

President Nishani was born in Durres on September 29, 1966. He obtained a law degree from the Justice Faculty of Tirana University in 2004 and a Masters Degree in European Studies from the same university a year later. President Nishani began a long career in public service in 1993 as the Director of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Defense. A year later, he began serving at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Relations Department of the Ministry of Affairs.

President Nishani's political career began in 1991, when he first became a member of the Democratic Party. In 2001, he was elected as the Secretary of the Tirana Democratic Party Branch. Two years later he was elected as a member of the Tirana Municipal Council. In 2005, President Nishani was elected as a parliamentary member of Tirana's 34th electoral district. He later went on to serve as Minister of Interior and the Minister of Justice. In July of this year, Mr. Nishani was sworn in as President of the Republic of Albania.

Mr. Nishani is married to Mrs. Odeta Nishani, and has two children: Ersi and Fjona. The dedication of the Albanian Cultural Garden will also commemorate the 100th year of Albanian Independence and the dedication of the Mother Teresa memorial statue.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of President Bujar Nishani and in recognition of his visit to Cleveland, Ohio on the occasion of the dedication of the Albanian Cultural Garden.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Honorable Judge Donna Congeni Fitzsimmons, who is the recipient of Recovery Resources' Community Challenge 2012 Exemplar Award.

Recovery Resources is a community-based nonprofit organization with a mission of helping people triumph over mental illness, alcoholism, drug and other addictions. The Exemplar Award, established in 2006, celebrates members of the local community who have demonstrated a long and distinguished record of exemplary service and support for Recovery Resources' Community Challenge program.

Judge Fitzsimmons graduated with a bachelor's degree from Boston College and earned her law degree from George Washington University in 1976. She began her career in public service in 1977 as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor. In 1980, she became the first woman to be appointed as Special Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Organized Crime Strike Force in Cleveland. During her tenure as Special Attorney, Judge Fitzsimmons served as the lead prosecutor in the U.S. v. Lonardo, Gallo, et al case, in which she successfully convicted the former Cleveland Mafia boss, Angelo Lonardo in 1983. In 1984, she was appointed Deputy Counsel to President Reagan's commission on Organized Crime in Washington, DC and served in this position until 1985 when she entered private practice at the law firm of Atter & Hadden.

On January 1, 1994, Judge Fitzsimmons assumed the role of Judge of the Rocky River Municipal Court and has been serving on the bench since. In 1997, she was appointed Chair of the Cuyahoga County Violence Against Women Act Committee and as the Municipal Court representative to the Cuyahoga County Criminal Justice Supervisory Services Board. As her career continued, Judge Fitzsimmons would be appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court's Court Security Committee, Criminal Procedure Committee and Jury Service Committee.

In addition to her career, Judge Fitzsimmons is an active member of the Northeast Ohio community. She has served on Fairview Hospital's Community Advisory Board, as a trustee for Community Challenge, charter member of the Fairview High School Alumni Hall of Fame and an honorary chair for the Center for Prevention of Domestic Violence's Annual Break the Silence Luncheon. She also established the Stalking Victim Support Group and was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Throughout her career, Judge Fitzsimmons has been recognized numerous times. She has been named Cleveland's Italian Heritage Committee Public Service Honoree 2011, ``Gem of Cleveland'' by the Junior League of Cleveland, and has received the Columbian Award from the Federation of Italian-American Societies of Northern Ohio. She has also been recognized by the Women's Center of Greater Cleveland.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Recovery Resources' Community Challenge 2012 Exemplar Award winner, the Honorable Judge Donna Congeni Fitzsimmons.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Armenian Statehood Day. As the Armenian community in Greater Cleveland gathers to celebrate, I join them in appreciation of their rich history and culture.

September 21, 1991, marks the day that Armenia restored its independence by becoming the first republic proclaiming independence from the Soviet Union. Armenia was originally established by the Artashisian Dynasty in 189 BC. Following hundreds of years of invasions, the last Armenian kingdom fell at the onset of the 14th century. The first Armenian democratic republic was not established until 1918, which followed the Armenian Genocide in 1915. Unfortunately, just two years later, in 1920, the Armenians were occupied by the Soviet Union until they declared sovereignty in 1991.

Cleveland is home to a strong Armenian community which has succeeded in preserving their heritage while wholeheartedly supporting American society, thereby contributing to the unique richness and diversity of our national culture.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration of Armenian Statehood Day. May every American of Armenian heritage hold memories of their past forever in their hearts, remembering the day that their forbears gained their freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Black Shield Police Association, BSPA, an organization of dedicated minority police officers that are committed to serving our communities throughout the Greater Cleveland area.

The BSPA was originally founded in 1946 as the Shield Club, which was designed to assist black officers in maintaining and strengthening self-esteem within an atmosphere of indifference. The Shield Club was a social club for black officers who were, at the time, prohibited from joining organizations that were for white police officers. In 1969, the Shield Club was officially chartered as a non-profit organization and was the third oldest black police organization in the U.S. The Shield Club officially became the Black Shield Police Association in 1978. By 2000, the National Black Police Association expanded to an international organization with members in the United Kingdom, Canada and the Bahamas. The BSPA supports the philosophy of community policing, the calls for a true and cooperative partnership between the community and the police for safer communities.

The Black Shield Police Association's Annual Dinner and Dance Scholarship Awards Banquet is being held at Cleveland's Doubletree Hotel on October 13, 2012. The theme of this year's event is ``Still moving FORWARD while celebrating 66 years of Unity.'' Special tributes will be made to retirees Lieutenant John Cole, Sergeant Hughleam Medlea, Sergeant Andre Douglas, Sergeant Randall Bergeon, Police Officer Eugene Preston, Police Officer Arthur Fantroy, Police Officer Sandra Robertson, Police Officer Kevin Martin and Police Officer Paul Jones.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the Black Shield Police Association and its important role in the Greater Cleveland community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mrs. Ruth Coyne, the former ``first lady'' of Brooklyn, Ohio.

Ruth was the wife of John M. Coyne, the former mayor of Brooklyn. She attended Rhodes High School and met John at a dance at Our Lady of Good Council. They were married at Old Pete's Wayside Inn on November 30, 1940. John went on to serve as mayor for an astounding 52 years, from 1947 to 1999. Ruth provided support for her husband throughout the years and came to be loved by the community. The couple was married for 72 years.

Ruth is remembered fondly by everyone she encountered. Councilwoman Kathleen Pucci has said that, ``She exemplified grace, dignity and style. She genuinely cared about our community and its residents.''

In addition to her role as ``first lady'', Ruth was a loving citizen and mother. She was the mother of four, grandmother of nine, and great- grandmother of fifteen. She always put her family first.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in memory of Mrs. Ruth Coyne, a woman who spent her long life working for others, and who will be greatly missed by her family and the City of Brooklyn.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor Mr. Gregory M. Sadlek who is being honored by the Polonia Foundation on October 7, 2012.

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Gregory is a graduate of Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio. In 1968, following his high school graduation, he moved to Quincy, Illinois to attend Quincy University and later attended the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Gregory holds several degrees including a bachelor's in philosophy and a master's and doctorate in English. He has pursued a career in academia, teaching at the University of Nantes, Hamilton College, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the English Department. Gregory is married to Francoise Rolland; together they have two sons, Jonathan and Benjamin.

In 2005, Gregory returned to his native Cleveland, Ohio and became the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at Cleveland State University (CSU). At CSU, he has worked tirelessly to establish a Polish Studies program and a partnership with the University of Warsaw.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Gregory M. Sadlek and congratulating him as he is recognized by the Polonia Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Walter Borkowski who is being honored by the Polonia Foundation on October 7, 2012.

Born September 11, 1969, Walter is a first generation American. He was raised in Parma, Ohio and attended Normandy High School before earning a degree in business administration from the University of Toledo. Following graduation, Walter began a career in financial services as a customer service representative with Transamerica Financial Services. Within two years, he was the Executive Branch Manager of the Canton, Ohio office. He briefly left Northeast Ohio for a job with Long Beach Mortgage Company, but returned when he launched Consumers Choice Mortgage Inc. Walter retired from Trust In Equity Mortgage Group, LLC in 2009, but continues to work as a part-time Mortgage Consultant.

Walter has been involved in the Polish-American community since he was a young child as a singer in the John Borkowski Orchestra. At the age of 24, he was elected to his first of two terms as the director of the Alliance of Poles of American. Currently, he is the Recording Secretary for the Cleveland Society of Poles and the Alternate National Director for the Polish American Congress.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Walter Borkowski and congratulating him as he is recognized by the Polonia Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor Mrs. Alina Czernec who is being honored by the Polonia Foundation on October 7, 2012.

Alina was born in pre-World War II Poland. During the war she was forced to spend five years of her life living in Polish refugee camps in Iran, India and Pakistan. Following the War, her family reunited in England in 1947 and immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio's Tremont neighborhood in 1952. After graduating from St. John Cantius High School, Alina was attending Fenn College and working for the Polish daily newspaper, Wiadomosci Dodzienne. In 1959, Alina married Steve Czernec and together they had three children, Lisa, Richard and Chris. Alina spent much of her time volunteering at local schools and nursing homes and eventually became the director of admissions at Broadview Nursing Home. She worked at Heights Drapery Company, which she and her daughter own, until her retirement in 2004.

Alina has been involved in the Polish-American community since she settled in the U.S. She has belonged to a number of organizations including Gmina 6, PNA and the Alliance of Poles. She is also an active member of the Polish American Cultural Center and has spent countless hours volunteering at St. John Cantius Church.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mrs. Alina Czernec and congratulating her as she is recognized by the Polonia Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Ms. Sylvia Rucinski who is being honored by the Polonia Foundation on October 7, 2012.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Sylvia attended Miles Elementary School and graduated from Holy Name High School. She later attended Cuyahoga Community College and John Carroll University. Before beginning her 22 year career at the Alliance of Poles of America, Sylvia held a number of different positions. She previously held jobs with Harris Seybold, Grabler Manufacturing and several school and public libraries.

Sylvia has been a long-time and active member of the Polish-American community. She has been the director for the Alliance of Poles Federal Credit Union and Ohio Division of the Polish American Congress. She also served as the recording secretary of Circle 9 of the Alliance of Poles. Because of her unwavering service, Sylvia has been acknowledged by the Alliance of Poles as the recipient of the 2004 Meritorious Service Medal and Award and named the 2003 Grand Lady of Pulaski by the Polonia Foundation.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mrs. Sylvia Rucinski and congratulating her as she is recognized by the Polonia Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Village of Brooklyn Heights, Ohio. Since 1903, the Village of Brooklyn Heights has been an exemplary community within Northeast Ohio.

Originally a part of Brooklyn Township, which was established in 1818, Brooklyn Heights' residents seceded from the township to form their own village. On February 28, 1903, the Village of Brooklyn Heights was officially established.

What was once an area of predominately farmland is now full of residential homes and interstate highways. Despite only comprising 1.8 square miles of land, Brooklyn Heights is a desirable area for industry and for raising a family.

Today, the Village of Brooklyn Heights is home to approximately 1,600 residents who are led by Mayor Michael Procuk. There are six members on the Village Council: John Black, Bruce Cichocki, Michael D'Amico, Leslie Foote, Tom Lahiff, Jennifer Presot and Henry Stankiewicz.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the Village of Brooklyn Heights and all of its residents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the City of Brook Park, Ohio, an exemplary community within Northeast Ohio.

Brook Park first became a village in 1914 when residents of the area decided to separate themselves from the Berea school district and politics. The first school in Brook Park was built in 1917. Following World War II, a population boom occurred in the area, increasing the population from 2,600 to 13,000. Brook Park officially became a city in 1950.

Brook Park is the home to several important Cleveland landmarks including the Brook Park Ford Co. Plant, The NASA Glenn Research Center, and the International Exposition Center, which is home to auto shows, home and garden expos and the annual I-X Indoor Amusement Park.

Today, the City of Brook Park is home to nearly 20,000 residents who are led by Mayor Mark Elliot. Mayor Elliot who had previously served as a Councilman, and Athletic Director for the city, has been serving as mayor since 2002. There are eight members on the City Council: Mike Gammella, Michael Lane, Pattie Astorino, Barry Kirksey, Brian Higgins, Carl Burgio, Danny Colonna, Richard Salvatore.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the City of Brook Park and all of its residents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the City of Independence, Ohio, an exemplary community within Northeast Ohio.

Independence was first organized as a township in 1814. Its first resident, Ichabod Lord Skinner, settled in the area in 1818. Not until 1827, with the opening on the Ohio and Erie Canal, did the township become accessible to trade and more settlers. Independence grew quickly in the subsequent century, reaching the status of village in 1914. It became the City of Independence in 1960.

Known as the ``Heart of Cuyahoga County,'' Independence is one of Northeast Ohio's most desirable cities for families to work and raise their families. It is also home to the Cleveland Cavalier's training facility.

Today, the City of Independence is home to approximately 7,000 residents who are led by Mayor Gregory Kurtz. There are seven members on the City Council: Anthony Togliatti, Patricia Wisnieski, Jim Crooks, Jim Riley, Carl Asseff, Tom Naduzzi and Peter Nelson.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the City of Independence and all of its residents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the City of Berea, Ohio. Since 1836, the City of Berea has been an exemplary community within Northeast Ohio.

Known as ``The Grindstone Capital of the World,'' the town's symbol is a grindstone which serves as a tribute to the many grindstones that came out of its quarries. Every year, on Independence Day weekend, a festival named for the grindstones is celebrated by the City of Berea.

Berea is home to several of Northeast Ohio's most important fixtures such as Baldwin-Wallace College, the Cleveland Browns' training facility and the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. Over the years, Berea has produced a number of notable residents including John Baldwin, Lou Groza, Jim Tressel and former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Neil H. McElroy.

Today, the City of Berea is home to nearly 20,000 residents who are led by Mayor Cyril Kleem. Mayor Kleem was recently elected to his second term in office. There are eight members on the City Council: Mary Brown, Dean Can Dress, Dale Lange, Margarette Kay, Nick Haschka, Jim Maxwell, Cheryl Banaszak and Richard Malott.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the City of Berea and all of its residents.